The purpose for this blog is to share my thoughts, hopes dreams, lessons learned ext. I hope that in some way my experience will bring some comfort to others. Just remember you are not alone in your situation find your peace that passes all understanding and have fun with your life no matter where you are.

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Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Vacunes TB/BCG

A newborn in Mexico is suppose to get this vaccine in the hospital when they are born. Apparently the private hospitals are bad about not doing this. So our baby got hers on June 23rd when she was 3 months old. I was very interested in this vaccine because its not one that we get anymore in the states. I asked if we had to get it and the answer was yes it is one of the required vaccines for a child to go to school. So we went to get it. My husbands mom showed up that morning and said shed like to go with me to help translate. I said ok and we headed to the Segudo around 12pm. We were told the shots don't begin till one but its a first come first serve type of thing so they told us to show up at noon. When you get there you hand over your babies vaccine card and it is put in a stack with everyone else who is there for vaccines. We waited a little under an hour which is about how long I always had to wait at the Dr. in the states. So this wasn't to bad. What blew me away was as we were walking in for our turn the nurse said only one adult could go in with the baby. My husbands mom explained that my Spanish was limited and that she needed to translate. They said no and that if we wanted she could go in with the baby. Well that got whopping no from me and I said I would be ok. Which I was, thankfully most Medical words are conjugates in Spanish. So I understood when they told me that we needed to come back for more vaccines AUG 3rd. They also explained that the TB shot should not cause any fever, pain or diarrhea. But that in a few weeks it would swell up. The injection is intradermal, which means right under the top layers of skin. If you have ever had a PPD test which tests for TB then you know what it is. They make a bleb or small bump under your skin with the medicine. After a few days the bleb turned into a knot and then disappeared and her arm looked normal. Then about a week ago it started with a small red bump that looked almost like a mosquito bite. Then it got larger and was a knot again. Because I never studied this vaccine in school nor have I ever seen one except the scar left behind I was constantly asking neighbors and family if it was looking like its suppose to. A few days ago we were at my husbands grandmas house and I asked again. The knot was about the size of a garbanzo bean and there was redness surrounding it. They said it was fine and to stop worrying. Yesterday I had her in the bath and the knot began to pus and lot of exudate came out. It was thick and yellow and there was quite a bit. I kinda freaked out and grabbed my husband to come look. He said yes this was normal. I pushed gently on the knot until it was done. We saw one of his aunts later in the evening and I confirmed with her that it was ok. She said yes also. Today the knot is smaller but still there and it has a white head where the puss came out. I'm assuming it will happen again when shes in the tub and the skin gets wet. I'm trying not to mess with it to much to minimize the scaring. I hope this ends up being helpful to any moms who will be having newborns here and getting there shots.

Rebeca, you know thats the weird thing... They said that because Alana got all her vaccines in the states and her card is complete she wouldnt need to. But that Joslins vaccination card would need to be completed here. Doesnt make any sense to me. Also they said Alana should get a hep A shot before she goes to school. That its not required but that a lot of kids get hep A from school. The bad thing is it cost $600p and you cant get it at the clinic. So we dont know what we are going to do about that yet. We still have a year to figure that one out.

Do you have Dr Simulares farmacias there? It's a very good generic pharmacy and many of them have a clinic or doctor's office attached. You can buy the vaccine otc and you can give the shot yourself. As amazing as it sounds, you can buy hypos and everything at the pharmacy, though most injectables that I have bought came complete and I paid a nurse to administer. Just an idea.regards,Theresa

Rebecca, My family and I just moved to La Paz we have a 4month old who is getting her shots next week. Her first round of shots were in the states, what card do I need to take to get the shots? We met with a dr. here who said the shots are similar to US? Are they? What else do I need to know? Your blogs are fantastic and apperciate it! Thanks Megan

megan- My name is Amanda ;) Although Rebecca does have a blog named A day in the life of, and I suggest you check it out. As far as helping you with the vaccines, I have a few questions and the answer will be quiet long for a comment. Can you e-mail me at newcreationajhatyahoodotcomMy main question is if your husband is working here in Mexico and if he is if hes working for a larg company or a private one. This would make the diff if your going to the segudo or the public clinics.

Oh mamas please SSSTTTOOOPPPPPP letting mexican doctors tell you to vax your baby. HHEELLOOO...if we dont do it in the states...why in THE WORLD would you put something into your baby that you have no idea what it is! PLEASE please DONT do that TO YOUR BABY! I know ways around the vax card...please if your interested..i can give you more information on that. I have 4 kids and non will receive any more vax's anywhere..not even in the US! My 4th baby is not vax'd at all...there are exemptions...and ways around the vax card....please educate your self before you damage your babies any further.Here is a website that you can start off with! http://sayingnotovaccines.blogspot.com/Dr Sherri Tenpenny...has a great website...google her name...and educate your self...protect your babies. if you need more info..please let me know.Prayers to your babies....and mama's.

Sunshine- Welcome back, yes I remember you and I knew you had said you were moving and wouldnt have the net. Im glad your back on. I appreciate your concern about the vaccines but...I have educated myself about vaccines ;) Im a nurse. I think that they are good for children and the community at large. The prevent a lot of health issues. I wont go on my soap box about it all but I do feel that kids need the TB vaccine in Mexico even though they don't get it in the States. The US has a much higher standard as far as hygiene and cleanliness goes. Most Mexicans stay as clean as they can but quiet honestly some of them just cant due to lack of resources. Because of this TB is still around down here and I would die if my babies got it. But again Thank you for your concern.